Ankle is still swollen like I'm sneaking around a tangelo. Foot is no longer swollen. I'm walking a mile every day, a very slow mile, but a mile nonetheless, without much limping.
Knee is almost back to normal.
Elbow still doesn't straighten. Bah. There is more flexibility, a little more every day.
The good news: Yesterday, I used my right hand for a little odd job. From my wrist comes what sounds like bubble wrap popping. Relief! My wrist has been a little tight ever since the accident. Now, it moves freely without any pain. Yay!
Finding Home is turned in to my wonderful editor.
Back to working on the other WIPs. Yes, plural. I can't help myself.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Update on me and my writing...
Ankle is swollen, but I'm walking further. Arm is the most aggravating. The flexibility improves a little every day, however, I'm still not able to straighten it. Bah. I've stopped taking pain medication because of rebound headaches. I'm sleeping, a lot. I hate sleeping my life away, even if it is good for me. I remind myself the body repairs itself in sleep. Knowing doesn't always improve my impatience.
Finding Home is being edited.
Though I endeavor to create time for writing and doing other things, editing tends to take over my life until it's done. It's probably a good thing that one chapter leads me into the next, and I don't want to stop reading.
God bless.
Finding Home is being edited.
Though I endeavor to create time for writing and doing other things, editing tends to take over my life until it's done. It's probably a good thing that one chapter leads me into the next, and I don't want to stop reading.
God bless.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Happy Easter
A time of reflection and rejoicing.
Jesus lived to teach me how to live.
Jesus Christ determined I was worth dying for.
Sometimes, I'm tempted to disagree. I feel worthless. I recognize my plethora of imperfections. I cannot deny my flaws, my mistakes, my sins. I endeavor to do better and fail and fail and fail.
Sometimes, it's difficult to remember. Jesus didn't die for me for what I do right in my life. Jesus died for me for all the things wrong in my life.
Jesus conquered sin, spiritual death.
Jesus rose from the dead, conquering the final chains of physical death.
The end for which the first was made.
Jesus Christ, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Lord, and my King.
Jesus lived to teach me how to live.
Jesus Christ determined I was worth dying for.
Sometimes, I'm tempted to disagree. I feel worthless. I recognize my plethora of imperfections. I cannot deny my flaws, my mistakes, my sins. I endeavor to do better and fail and fail and fail.
Sometimes, it's difficult to remember. Jesus didn't die for me for what I do right in my life. Jesus died for me for all the things wrong in my life.
Jesus conquered sin, spiritual death.
Jesus rose from the dead, conquering the final chains of physical death.
The end for which the first was made.
Jesus Christ, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Lord, and my King.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Update on current projects...
Grace's Possibilities is the fourth Regency book in my Endless Possibilities series. It's coming out in June
2014.
Finding Home is the fourth book in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series. It's my "what if" story about my trip to Europe back in 1986. It's coming out in July 2014.
This is the shortest of my books, aside from my novellas. It's mostly dialogue. I kept attempting to make it longer and only ended up stuck.
The editing has been reasonably easy because it's an easy read, at least for me. I couldn't stop editing because I couldn't stop reading.
I confess I worry too much of the story is in my head and not on the page. Only time will tell.
There's one more book in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series, Wings to Fly. It's due October 1st.
Tarnished Knight, the next book in the Endless Possibilities series, is due September 1st.
"Jack lied. A lot."
I'm working on my Holiday, USA, novellas, Tough Luck and The Blessing Basket.
Finding Home is the fourth book in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series. It's my "what if" story about my trip to Europe back in 1986. It's coming out in July 2014.
This is the shortest of my books, aside from my novellas. It's mostly dialogue. I kept attempting to make it longer and only ended up stuck.
The editing has been reasonably easy because it's an easy read, at least for me. I couldn't stop editing because I couldn't stop reading.
I confess I worry too much of the story is in my head and not on the page. Only time will tell.
There's one more book in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series, Wings to Fly. It's due October 1st.
Tarnished Knight, the next book in the Endless Possibilities series, is due September 1st.
"Jack lied. A lot."
I'm working on my Holiday, USA, novellas, Tough Luck and The Blessing Basket.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Something to brighten the day...
May your day be blessed...
This was posted on FB, and I thought it appropriate. Sometimes bubble wrap comes in handy other places and times, like deadlines.
This was posted on FB, and I thought it appropriate. Sometimes bubble wrap comes in handy other places and times, like deadlines.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Links to share...
These blogs inspired me, this week:
Khamneithang shared "Does Your Roof Leak"...
http://khamneithang.wordpress.com/2014/04/04/does-your-roof-leak/
Good to have Jennifer blogging again. Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud:
http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/2014/04/03/dragon-slayers/
God bless.
Khamneithang shared "Does Your Roof Leak"...
http://khamneithang.wordpress.com/2014/04/04/does-your-roof-leak/
Good to have Jennifer blogging again. Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud:
http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/2014/04/03/dragon-slayers/
God bless.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Thursday, April 10, 2014
It's a beautiful day...
My arm still can't straighten fully. Bah. It can't bend completely. Bah. It is strengthening, and I'm able to do a little more every day. Yay!
My ankle is still swollen, with a bit of black and blue bruising. Bah. I'm able to walk normally, if I walk slowly. I'm very careful to keep my foot straight. This morning, I walked a little over a half mile. Yay!
What has been good about this debacle?
I've made sleep a priority. I feel better.
I've made eating better a priority. I feel better.
I've made exercising a little each day and moving my arm throughout the day a priority. I feel better.
I've also discovered the wonder of frankincense. It's wonderfully calming. Frankincense helps with inflammation. So does rosemary.
I'm not able to write a lot, yet. My arm tires quickly. However, it means I must focus on what I want to put on the page, sort it in my head so my limited writing isn't wasted.
Hmmm... yep, I'm done with this post because my arm is done. :-)
God bless.
My ankle is still swollen, with a bit of black and blue bruising. Bah. I'm able to walk normally, if I walk slowly. I'm very careful to keep my foot straight. This morning, I walked a little over a half mile. Yay!
What has been good about this debacle?
I've made sleep a priority. I feel better.
I've made eating better a priority. I feel better.
I've made exercising a little each day and moving my arm throughout the day a priority. I feel better.
I've also discovered the wonder of frankincense. It's wonderfully calming. Frankincense helps with inflammation. So does rosemary.
I'm not able to write a lot, yet. My arm tires quickly. However, it means I must focus on what I want to put on the page, sort it in my head so my limited writing isn't wasted.
Hmmm... yep, I'm done with this post because my arm is done. :-)
God bless.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Remembering...
My dog was born over about a quarter of a century ago. She's been gone from this earth for too long. I miss her. Variations of her have appeared in a number of my stories.
Currently, I'm penning Tough Luck, the fourth novella in the Holiday, USA serial. I meant to publish the story, last month, but life happens. I hope to publish it soon.
The heroine is one Cindy Garvey. She and her friend, Liz Hartman -- the heroine in the fifth book The Blessing Basket, are opening a pet store in Holiday. Right now, the store is called Holiday Pets. Suggestions are welcome, though I prefer to keep Holiday in the name. I thought about Holiday Fuzzies, but I don't know.
The inspiration for this pet store comes from the store where I found my dog, Pets Inc. At the time, they sold purebred puppies, along with various other types of pets. They usually kept only one or two litters in "stock." One of the litters was special.
Pets Inc. had an agreement with the vet across the street. Anytime the vet received puppies to "dispose of," they arranged for Pets Inc. to sell them for a minimal cost, with a first puppy visit included in the fee. The puppy visit probably cost more than the dog was sold for. I don't know who the vet was, but I bless her every day. My dog was one of those special litters. She was half Australian Shepard and half something else. It didn't take long to see she was half black lab. She was 100% sweet and perfect for me.
When I created Holiday, USA, I knew I wanted them to have a pet store like Pets Inc., so someone else would have the chance to rescue a puppy and be rescued by a puppy.
I think Miss B was around 15 in this picture:
Currently, I'm penning Tough Luck, the fourth novella in the Holiday, USA serial. I meant to publish the story, last month, but life happens. I hope to publish it soon.
The heroine is one Cindy Garvey. She and her friend, Liz Hartman -- the heroine in the fifth book The Blessing Basket, are opening a pet store in Holiday. Right now, the store is called Holiday Pets. Suggestions are welcome, though I prefer to keep Holiday in the name. I thought about Holiday Fuzzies, but I don't know.
The inspiration for this pet store comes from the store where I found my dog, Pets Inc. At the time, they sold purebred puppies, along with various other types of pets. They usually kept only one or two litters in "stock." One of the litters was special.
Pets Inc. had an agreement with the vet across the street. Anytime the vet received puppies to "dispose of," they arranged for Pets Inc. to sell them for a minimal cost, with a first puppy visit included in the fee. The puppy visit probably cost more than the dog was sold for. I don't know who the vet was, but I bless her every day. My dog was one of those special litters. She was half Australian Shepard and half something else. It didn't take long to see she was half black lab. She was 100% sweet and perfect for me.
When I created Holiday, USA, I knew I wanted them to have a pet store like Pets Inc., so someone else would have the chance to rescue a puppy and be rescued by a puppy.
I think Miss B was around 15 in this picture:
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Sharing links...
Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud shared a post that fit me right now, Trust Amidst Chaos...
http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/2014/03/27/trust-amidst-chaos/
Live to Write ~ Write to Live shared being your own cheerleader and being a writer...
http://nhwn.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/be-your-own-cheerleader-to-push-to-the-next-level/
http://nhwn.wordpress.com/2014/04/02/writing-as-a-way-of-life/
Fae Rowen, over at Writers In The Storm, shared Part 3 of "What's Love Got to Do with It." It's been a fascinating study of how a character's problems with manifest itself...
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2014/04/02/whats-love-got-to-do-with-it-part-three/
God bless.
http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/2014/03/27/trust-amidst-chaos/
Live to Write ~ Write to Live shared being your own cheerleader and being a writer...
http://nhwn.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/be-your-own-cheerleader-to-push-to-the-next-level/
http://nhwn.wordpress.com/2014/04/02/writing-as-a-way-of-life/
Fae Rowen, over at Writers In The Storm, shared Part 3 of "What's Love Got to Do with It." It's been a fascinating study of how a character's problems with manifest itself...
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2014/04/02/whats-love-got-to-do-with-it-part-three/
God bless.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Life Happens...
Last Saturday, I fell. I stepped too close to the edge of the sidewalk. My ankle rolled. I knew it was bad. It wasn't the first time. I prayed it wasn't broken. It isn't. Sprained, swollen, black and blue. It could be worse. It has been, in the distant past. I know what to do.
The arm is worse. I didn't break it either, for which I'm grateful. I did jam it but good. Swelling. Some bruising. Limited range of motion. Stiffness. Discomfort. It's my dominant hand. Oops.
Ice and heat, ibuprofen, arnica, frankincense, comfrey, and sleep.
I'm a little better every day.
Edits arrived for Finding Home, the fourth book in "The Silver Locket Sisterhood" series. It comes out in July 2014. I've felt pretty badly about how... not together I've been for the last few months. Maybe God is ensuring I don't mess with the story too much.
The arm is worse. I didn't break it either, for which I'm grateful. I did jam it but good. Swelling. Some bruising. Limited range of motion. Stiffness. Discomfort. It's my dominant hand. Oops.
Ice and heat, ibuprofen, arnica, frankincense, comfrey, and sleep.
I'm a little better every day.
Edits arrived for Finding Home, the fourth book in "The Silver Locket Sisterhood" series. It comes out in July 2014. I've felt pretty badly about how... not together I've been for the last few months. Maybe God is ensuring I don't mess with the story too much.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Sharing a few helpful links...
Writers In The Storm blog shared some info on OneNote and Evernote (for Macs)...
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2014/03/23/do-you-dream-of-being-an-organized-writer/
And improving dialogue tags, something my current editor is teaching me (thanks Shawna K. Williams)...
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/how-to-avoid-the-dreaded-dialog-tag/
The Writer's Refuge offered ways writing can help the writer reconcile their past...
http://thewritersrefuge.wordpress.com/2014/03/23/how-writing-can-help-reconcile-your-past/
God bless.
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2014/03/23/do-you-dream-of-being-an-organized-writer/
And improving dialogue tags, something my current editor is teaching me (thanks Shawna K. Williams)...
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/how-to-avoid-the-dreaded-dialog-tag/
The Writer's Refuge offered ways writing can help the writer reconcile their past...
http://thewritersrefuge.wordpress.com/2014/03/23/how-writing-can-help-reconcile-your-past/
God bless.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
God is my refuge...
Following God is not the safe thing to do. Ask Job, Paul, and the Roman Christians, to start.
I've always sought safety in God. Chatting with a few friends about the subject I changed my perspective.
I've been doing it wrong.
The safety in choosing God is the assurance He will never abandon me. Following Jesus not only doesn't promise safety, He, in fact, promises trials and tribulations.
He also promises hope, a lightening (not removal) of my burden, inspiration.
One of my friends shared her journey and offered the perspective of seeking refuge in God.
Refuge and safety are not the same thing, at least not in my head.
I'm reminded of the scripture about man's ways not being God's ways.
I understood this on one level, but completely misunderstood on another.
I thought seeking refuge meant I'd be safe from harm. This is something abuse survivors tend to seek because the sense of being safe is stripped away. Often it's offered as a false reward or the definition is corrupted, depending on the abuser's end game.
Now, refuge has come to mean a place I may rest in a storm, but if I must continue on, I'm not continuing on alone.
Alone, another tool of the abuser, convincing the abused they are alone, no one could love them, they'll never do anything right, they're isolated.
Alone is a lie. God is always there, waiting, a breath away, standing in the storm with the survivor. Never alone.
I've felt lonely often. I've believed myself to be alone. I believed the lies.
Choosing the truth required I accept the nature of God, endless, eternal, all-knowing, present everywhere like the stars. When the sun is out, you can't see them because the sun is so bright. They're still there. When darkness comes, they're revealed. Even if clouds appear, they're still there.
I'm learning to seek God as my refuge and let go of the need for safety. Life will happen. There will be pain and sorrow and tragedy. No matter what. God, in His loving kindness, will not protect me from the storms of life, for it is in the storms I discover my weaknesses and strengths. God is there, always. By embracing all of my life, God showers me with joy and courage and hope, sharing in every moment.
I choose God as my refuge.
I've always sought safety in God. Chatting with a few friends about the subject I changed my perspective.
I've been doing it wrong.
The safety in choosing God is the assurance He will never abandon me. Following Jesus not only doesn't promise safety, He, in fact, promises trials and tribulations.
He also promises hope, a lightening (not removal) of my burden, inspiration.
One of my friends shared her journey and offered the perspective of seeking refuge in God.
Refuge and safety are not the same thing, at least not in my head.
I'm reminded of the scripture about man's ways not being God's ways.
I understood this on one level, but completely misunderstood on another.
I thought seeking refuge meant I'd be safe from harm. This is something abuse survivors tend to seek because the sense of being safe is stripped away. Often it's offered as a false reward or the definition is corrupted, depending on the abuser's end game.
Now, refuge has come to mean a place I may rest in a storm, but if I must continue on, I'm not continuing on alone.
Alone, another tool of the abuser, convincing the abused they are alone, no one could love them, they'll never do anything right, they're isolated.
Alone is a lie. God is always there, waiting, a breath away, standing in the storm with the survivor. Never alone.
I've felt lonely often. I've believed myself to be alone. I believed the lies.
Choosing the truth required I accept the nature of God, endless, eternal, all-knowing, present everywhere like the stars. When the sun is out, you can't see them because the sun is so bright. They're still there. When darkness comes, they're revealed. Even if clouds appear, they're still there.
I'm learning to seek God as my refuge and let go of the need for safety. Life will happen. There will be pain and sorrow and tragedy. No matter what. God, in His loving kindness, will not protect me from the storms of life, for it is in the storms I discover my weaknesses and strengths. God is there, always. By embracing all of my life, God showers me with joy and courage and hope, sharing in every moment.
I choose God as my refuge.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Choose Life...
There are days when everything falls apart.
There are days when health is about feeling, sometimes awful and sometimes really awful.
There are days when taking one more step is all but impossible.
There are days when finding a glimmer of hope is a search in the dark.
There are days when the old negative tape shouts so loudly, no other sound can be heard.
There are days when making it through the next five minutes is a Herculean effort.
Good news:
You've made it through every day like this so far 100% of the time.
I've seen variations on this quote all over the internet lately. For me, it is a comforting thought, though usually after I've made it through another tough day.
Some days, my goal is simply to hang on long enough to face another day.
I confess, I still struggle a great deal. Food is my addiction of choice. It's a constant battle. I know when I choose to eat healthier I'm choosing life.
Choosing life is the most important decision you make every day.
Life is complicated.
Life is hard.
Life is not easy.
Life is the most amazing adventure you will ever undertake.
As difficult as it may appear, choose life, every day.
How else will you find out what's around the corner?
It may be scary, painful, or wonderful.
No matter what, it will be worth it in the end.
If I give up, then I will never know what God could have done with me.
I choose life.
There are days when health is about feeling, sometimes awful and sometimes really awful.
There are days when taking one more step is all but impossible.
There are days when finding a glimmer of hope is a search in the dark.
There are days when the old negative tape shouts so loudly, no other sound can be heard.
There are days when making it through the next five minutes is a Herculean effort.
Good news:
You've made it through every day like this so far 100% of the time.
I've seen variations on this quote all over the internet lately. For me, it is a comforting thought, though usually after I've made it through another tough day.
Some days, my goal is simply to hang on long enough to face another day.
I confess, I still struggle a great deal. Food is my addiction of choice. It's a constant battle. I know when I choose to eat healthier I'm choosing life.
Choosing life is the most important decision you make every day.
Life is complicated.
Life is hard.
Life is not easy.
Life is the most amazing adventure you will ever undertake.
As difficult as it may appear, choose life, every day.
How else will you find out what's around the corner?
It may be scary, painful, or wonderful.
No matter what, it will be worth it in the end.
If I give up, then I will never know what God could have done with me.
I choose life.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Sharing links...
Stephanie Burkhart shared a couple of fun posts, potato chips and St. Patrick's Day...
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/2014/03/happy-national-pototo-chip-day.html
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/2014/03/shamrocks-rock-happy-st-pattys-day.html
She also promoted her book A Polish Heart. I love this book. I learned about Blessing Baskets. I create one every Easter now. It's become one of my favorite traditions.
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/2014/03/snippet-sunday-99-cent-contemporary.html
Looks like this week's posts were about fun. Thanks Stephanie Burkhart for the inspiration.
God Bless.
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/2014/03/happy-national-pototo-chip-day.html
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/2014/03/shamrocks-rock-happy-st-pattys-day.html
She also promoted her book A Polish Heart. I love this book. I learned about Blessing Baskets. I create one every Easter now. It's become one of my favorite traditions.
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/2014/03/snippet-sunday-99-cent-contemporary.html
Looks like this week's posts were about fun. Thanks Stephanie Burkhart for the inspiration.
God Bless.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Inspiration...
Finding inspiration is a daily process. Sometimes, I'm looking for inspiration for a story. There are days when I'm struggling with my own life story and need a reminder God is aware of me.
God, do You love me?
My Savior died for me. It's powerful. God also sends little things to remind me.
God, do You love me?
My Savior died for me. It's powerful. God also sends little things to remind me.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
The 2014 hunt has begun...
Brent: Make her stop.
Richard: What troubles you?
Fitzgerald: He's next.
Patrick: I thought everyone wanted their story told.
Ian: It depends.
Kevin: On what?
Benjamin: What secrets you hold.
Joe: You don't mean our lady reveals them, do you?
Jack: In painful detail.
Fitzgerald: You're a bit subdued.
Richard: Jack's in the queue behind Brent.
Dusty: Tough Luck
Brent: Low blow.
Fitzgerald: Clever.
Jack: Your time is coming.
Dusty: I'm ready.
Benjamin: Trust me. You only think you are.
Todd: Cheer up, gentlemen.
Brent: Why?
Todd: She likes us.
Brent: Not a comforting thought.
Kevin: Of course it is.
Brent: Bring out the Crayons.
Richard: Crayons?
Jack: Paints, without the water or oil.
Fitzgerald: How do you know these things?
Jack: She considered making my story a time travel adventure.
Richard: She didn't.
Jack: She changed her mind.
Todd: A woman's prerogative.
Ken: Is there a way to resign?
Brent: At least you've been delayed for a year.
Ken: Anticipation isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Jack: Enough grumbling, gentlemen.
Leo: She does guarantee a happily ever after.
Benjamin: After she pulls you through a knothole backward.
Ian: Any other pleasant thoughts?
Brent: Happy St. Patrick's Day.
Richard: What troubles you?
Fitzgerald: He's next.
Patrick: I thought everyone wanted their story told.
Ian: It depends.
Kevin: On what?
Benjamin: What secrets you hold.
Joe: You don't mean our lady reveals them, do you?
Jack: In painful detail.
Fitzgerald: You're a bit subdued.
Richard: Jack's in the queue behind Brent.
Dusty: Tough Luck
Brent: Low blow.
Fitzgerald: Clever.
Jack: Your time is coming.
Dusty: I'm ready.
Benjamin: Trust me. You only think you are.
Todd: Cheer up, gentlemen.
Brent: Why?
Todd: She likes us.
Brent: Not a comforting thought.
Kevin: Of course it is.
Brent: Bring out the Crayons.
Richard: Crayons?
Jack: Paints, without the water or oil.
Fitzgerald: How do you know these things?
Jack: She considered making my story a time travel adventure.
Richard: She didn't.
Jack: She changed her mind.
Todd: A woman's prerogative.
Ken: Is there a way to resign?
Brent: At least you've been delayed for a year.
Ken: Anticipation isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Jack: Enough grumbling, gentlemen.
Leo: She does guarantee a happily ever after.
Benjamin: After she pulls you through a knothole backward.
Ian: Any other pleasant thoughts?
Brent: Happy St. Patrick's Day.
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